Sr Engineer, Mechanical Design, Test

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

​Role Summary:

The Senior Engineer, Mechanical Design, Test role is responsible for shaping and strengthening the mechanical engineering development for CARIAD and VW Group. With oversight, this position will define, develop and deliver production ECU in embedded environment for High performance computing platform for VW Group in order to create in-house development expertise for connected infotainment and ADAS/AD system. The Senior Engineer, Mechanical Design role will identify and scope projects around innovation opportunities as well as technology risks and provide engineering knowledge and assist with building automotive units for verification testing.

Role Responsibilities:

Mechanical Design and Test Verification Support:

• Support the design of the entire product design life cycle including requirements gathering, concept generation, detailed design with analysis, verification testing, cross-functional reviews, and manufacturing release.
• Plan and execute mechanical & environmental verification for ECU assemblies (temperature & thermal cycling, random vibration & sine-on-random, mechanical shock, humidity/condensation, ingress, corrosion, and packaging/drop); define realistic fixtures and boundary conditions that reflect vehicle mounting.
• Build design validation test plans with clear pass/fail criteria and traceability to requirements; manage lab scheduling, sample readiness, and data quality.
• Design packaging and components that provide airflow management, coolant and refrigerant flow management, and thermal actuator mounting, optimizing for efficiency, cost, manufacturability, and serviceability
• Mechanical design of components and assemblies including plastics, sheet metal, structural metals, insulation systems, sealing methods, fluid connectors, fasteners, busbars, and other components, with hands on prototyping
• Support the development and execution of component and subsystem design validation plans and test methods to validate product adherence to requirements
• Collaborate with thermal, systems, electrical, supply chain, manufacturing, service/deployment teams, and reliability teams to take designs from prototype through mass production
• Assist in engineering prototype builds and component fabrication. Support wiring fans, TIM dispense application, unit assembly, thermal couple wiring and fan tachometer measurements.
• Support test engineer during thermal chamber testing.
• Support with ECU assembly documentation.
• Root cause and solve test failures and production problems

Operational Management:

• Support the relationship with contract manufacturer and lead strategic discussions and negotiations.
• Monitor compliance with relevant regulations, statutes, Board Directives, process standards (including in respect of Golden Rules and Product Compliance), procedural/operating instructions and occupational safety regulations using appropriate management controls (dual-control principle).
• Assure the qualification of employees for the defined tasks
• Identify and mitigate project technology risks and execution risks

General Skills:

• Analytical and conceptual thinking
• Experience in developing strategies for R&D
• Communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written
• Integration - joining people, processes or systems
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Strategic/visionary minded
• Resource Management

​Required Specialized Skills:

• Excellent strategic thinking, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Experience in designing for high volume mechanical assembly, both manual and automated
• Understanding of material science of components used in mechanical design (metals, insulators, plastics, connectors, gaskets, etc.) and their fabrication processes
• Experience with various manufacturing processes such as plastic injection molding, welding / brazing, metal stamping, extruding, thermoforming, plating, heat treating, and bonding
• Experience defining test plans, designing test setups, and analyzing data
• Hands-on experience running mechanical/environmental tests for electronic enclosures or ECUs, including vibration/shock, thermal cycling, humidity/condensation, and ingress/corrosion.
• A detail-oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills
• Proficiency in CAD modeling, SolidWorks and CATIA preferred.
• Experience with PLM systems, engineering changes, deviations, BOM structuring, etc.
• Experience with environmental, reliability, safety, and industry standard requirements for industrial products
• Knowledge of design for reliability concepts

​Desired Skills:

• Ability to communicate on/to top-management level
• Project management of large, complex multi-party projects
• Cost-oriented business and technical skills
• Familiarity with PCBAs and PCBA components

​Workplace Flexibility:

• Occasional travel may be required, less than 5%

​Years of Relevant Experience:

• 6+ years of Mechanical development of automotive ECUs and hands on testing experience.

​Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

​Desired Education: 

• Master’s degree in Engineering.

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Mountain View, California, the salary range for this position is $149,350.00 - $215,785.00.

CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees. 

CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws. 

Employment with Cariad Inc. is contingent upon the successful completion of this screening process. We emphasize the importance of compliance with export control and sanctions laws as a fundamental aspect of our operations. Our company is dedicated to adhering to these regulations to ensure the lawful and ethical conduct of our business activities. Employment with our company is contingent on either verifying U.S. citizenship or U.S. lawful permanent resident status or obtaining any necessary license or confirming the availability of an applicable exemption or license exception. You, the applicant, will be required to answer certain questions for export control purposes, and that information will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. Cariad Inc. may choose not to apply for a license or use an applicable license exception (if available) for such individuals whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code may require authorization and may decline to proceed with an applicant on that basis alone.